South Asia
Supporters clash with cops at PTI rally as leaders demand Imran’s release
PTI leaders rallied on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday, demanding the “immediate release” of their founder, Imran Khan, while criticising the government for marginalising the party as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
China’s underwhelming data dampens hope of economic recovery
Chinese industrial production growth slowed in July while unemployment rose, official data showed Thursday, highlighting an uneven recovery in the world’s second-largest economy despite recent government measures to try to stimulate expansion.
Japan’s economy rebounds in Q2
Japan’s economy has rebounded, government data showed Thursday, in welcome news for its next prime minister following Fumio Kishida’s decision to quit.
Marico’s profit jumps 30% in April-June quarter
Marico Bangladesh Ltd, a listed multinational company, said its profit soared 30 percent year on year to Tk 172.57 crore in the April-June quarter.
IMF, World Bank warn Gaza war, Red Sea attacks imperil global economy
The IMF and World Bank warned on Monday that the Gaza war and the related attacks on shipping through the Red Sea pose threats to the global economy.
World's No.2 sugar producer India may need imports in 2025
India is set to ban exports in the crop year that started in October and may even be forced to import in the following year as farmers turn to other crops
Poor governance hampers economic growth
The socioeconomic development of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh is being hampered by the prevalence of poor governance and institutional weakness in the three South Asian nations, according to analysts.
China’s deflation pressures ease, more steps expected to spur demand
China’s consumer prices returned to positive territory in August while factory-gate price declines slowed, data showed on Saturday, as deflation pressures ease amid signs of stabilisation in the economy.
Malaysia to investigate Dyson decision to cut ATA ties
Malaysia said on Friday it will investigate British home appliance maker Dyson’s decision to sever ties with ATA IMS over the Malaysian supplier’s labour practices.
Afghan Hazara elders pledge support for Taliban rulers
More than 1,000 Afghan Shia Hazaras yesterday pledged their support to the country’s new Taliban rulers, insisting that the “dark period” of
Coal, an unavoidable pollutant in the harsh Afghan winter
At a Kabul market, coal is arriving by the tonne as the winter cold sets in.Even as prices rise, Afghans have few options but to burn it for heat, creating some of the world’s most dangerous air.
Most Asian markets drop on renewed Covid, inflation concerns
Asian markets mostly fell Monday with fears about renewed containment measures to battle a surge in European Covid cases adding to growing speculation that central banks will have to tighten monetary policy quicker to tame a spike in inflation.
Sri Lanka ends farm chemical ban as organic drive fails
Sri Lanka abandoned its quest to become the world’s first completely organic farming nation on Sunday, announcing it would immediately lift an import ban on pesticides and other agricultural inputs.
Sri Lanka shuts only oil refinery as dollar shortage bites
Sri Lanka shut its only oil refinery Monday after running out of dollars to import crude, in an escalating economic crisis that has triggered shortages of food and other staples.
Singapore migrant workers suffer under Covid curbs
Bangladeshi migrant worker MD Sharif Uddin used to spend his days off with friends outside his cramped Singapore dormitory, but coronavirus curbs have for 18 months left him stuck inside during his spare time.
China’s trade surplus with US stands at $40.75b
China’s trade surplus with the United States was $40.75 billion in October, Reuters calculations based on customs data showed on Sunday, down from $42 billion in September. For the first ten months of the year, the surplus was $320.67 billion.
Chinese delivery riders on the edge
Handing over a piping hot meal at exactly the time promised, Chinese food delivery driver Zhuang Zhenhua triumphantly tapped his job as complete through the Meituan app -- and was immediately fined half of his earnings.
China’s forex reserves rise for first time since July
China’s foreign exchange reserves in October rose on a monthly basis for the first time since July, official data showed on Sunday, as the dollar slipped against a basket of other major currencies.